Donation of Items - it is best to make a financial contribution to the relief effort, as that can be used for a wide variety of needs. Only donate items that are specifically requested by a relief organization;

Do not self deploy - volunteers who come in unaffiliated can add to the problems and confusion. If you would like to volunteer to do relief work in Texas or Louisiana, do so through one of the disaster response organizations, such asEpiscopal Relief and Development. If you are thinking about volunteering, first register with Episcopal Relief & Development through the Ready to Serve page. Then contact MIke Corey atmpcorey@gmail.com. Skills that may be needed include: disaster chaplains, mucking out, shelter operations, debris removal, and referral services;

Avoid scams - unfortunately disasters often bring out those who will take advantage of the suffering of others. If an individual or organization asks for a contribution check them out. Feel free to contactMike Coreyif you have any concerns or questions;

Pray - Please continue to hold up in your prayers the disaster survivors, those lost, those responding, and the families near and far waiting to hear from their loved ones.

Connecticut Connections:

Bishops Ian T. Douglas and Laura J. Ahrens have been in contact with the bishops of Texas, West Texas, and Western Louisiana. Bishops in the affected dioceses urge that Episcopalians give, and volunteer, through Episcopal Relief & Development.

Mike Corey, ECCT's Disaster Coordinator and Disaster Ministry Network co-convener, has had conversations with Episcopal Relief & Development. On August 31 he was on a coordination call for the faith-based community held by the FEMA administrator, Brock Long. Mike reports that Brock Long's message was clear: "We must win the battle of mass care!"

The Rev. Peter Stebinger, part time Missional Priest at St. Paul's in Bantam, CT, and a per diem chaplain at Hartford Hospital, is an intermittent federal employee with the National Disaster Medical Assistance team (DMAT) CT-1. He has been deployed in Texas.

Read this letter from the Bishop Diocesan of the Diocese of Texas, 8/30/2017.